Device for controlling independently an intermittent motion on gravity conveyers



6 June 1929- c. K. PRINCE 1,716,664 6 I DEVICE FOR CQNTROLLINGINDEPENDENTLY AN INTERMITTENT MOTION 0N GRAVITY CONVEYERS Filed March14, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l D Q TG INVENTOR,

A TTORNE Y.

June 11, 1929. c, PRINCE 1.716.664 DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING INDEPENDENTLYAN INTERMITTENT MOTION ON GRAVITY CONVEYERS Filed-March 14, 1925 I 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT-OR, (Zarerzcc 1K B'zhcq 6] 4V. @vwwd. A? IATTORNEY.

Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE K. PRINCE, OF WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS; ROBERT K. PRINCE ADMIN-IS'IRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF CLARENCE K. PRINCE, DECEASED.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING INDEPENDENTLY AN INTERMITTENT MOTION 0N GRAVITYCONVEYERS.

Application filed March 14, 1925. Serial No. 15,493.

' One of the applications and objects of the invention is to increasethe production, or quantity of castings in foundries that may be turnedout in a given time. l-leretofore, it has been a common practice for themoulders in foundries, after the flasks have been poured to push or rollthem along an inclined runway one after the other, permitting them tomove by gravity down and along the runway to the point where thecastings are to be removed from the flasks. This operation has beenfound to be objectionable in that the loaded flasks do not always movealong a gravity runway or conveyer sufliciently fast enough in order tomaterially increase the quantity of production. For some reason orother, the flasks often become stalled on the runway. My invention is,therefore, directed to devices for controlling this motion on suchconveyers.

My invention has for a further object to provide a gravity runway, or,conveyer, which may be intermittently operated by machine attendants whoare stationed along the runway at suitable points, and, by the use of asuitable travelling, link belt, a temporary connection may be made withany one,

or several of the loaded flasks so that they may be quickly moved alongthe runway to the point where the flasks are to be emptied and thecastings and molding sand conveyed away in the usual manner, usually bytravelling conveyers.

My improvement comprises several sections of trackway each of which isprovided with the usual rollers on which the skids of the flasks run,also, a channel shaped member in which an endless link belt is locatedwhich is provided with an upwardly extending part or parts that isattached to some of the links for temporarily engaging a depending parton the bottom board of the flask so that the loaded flask may beintermittently moved along the gravity trackway at the will of theattendants or operators and thus prevent a number of loaded flasks fromaccumulating on the trackway; suitable devices are also provided forintermittently operating the link belt, as will be described.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of three sections of the conveyor, or runwayshowing two of the flasks in full lines and two in dotted lines; alsothe means for intermittently applylng power from suitable motor power tooperate the link belt which co-operates with the bottom boards to movethe flasks the runways, as desired.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 showing the handles forthrowing into or out of operation the motors which operate the linkbeltsof each section of the runway.

Fig. 3 is a vertical and longitudinal sectional view on an enlargedscale on the line 33 of Fig. 1, showing the channel iron and link beltin section and in which iron the link belt travels, also the rollers onwhich the skids of the flasks travel and the co operating and connectingmeans between the link belt and the bottom board of the flask.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional plan view on the line &4 of Fig. 3 lookingin the direc tion of the arrows showing the cooperating member which isinserted in the link belt that is provided with a part that co-acts withthe part on the bottom board of the flask, also a portion of the channeliron in section, and

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view 011 the line 55 ofFig. 4, showingthe special link member inserted in the link belt and having theupwardly extending part which cooperates with a part on the bottom boardof the flask, the channel iron in which the link belt travels, and aportion of one of the sup porting rollers on which the flask travels.

Referring to the drawings in detail: 1 and 2 designate the oppositelylocated irons of the frame work which are supported by the posts 8.Rotatably supported in bearings in these oppositely located irons arethe anti-friction rollers l which are connected together by the shafts5. Restingon or engaging these rollers are the skids or shoes 6 of theflasks 7. Located slightly above the shafts 5v and extending the lengthof the sections are the channel irons 8, 9, and 10. These irons aresupported on the transversely located members 8, 9, and 10 which are 10-along.

cated on the side pieces 1 and 2 of the three sections or unitsdesignated by the numerals 11, 12, and 13. Travelling in each of thesechannel irons is the upper strand of the link belts 14, 15, and 16 whichbelts are supported at the opposite ends of each of the sections by thesprocket wheels 17 and 18. These wheelsare secured to the shafts 19, 20,21,

22, 23, and 24:. The shafts 19, 21, and 24 retate idly in bearings ofthe side pieces 1 and 2 when the belts are operated. Connected to theshafts 20, 22, and 225 are the electric motors 25, 26, and 27 by meansof a suitable clutch construction indicated at 27, 28, and 29. Theseclutches are operated by the machine attendants from the handles 30, 31,and 32, which are connected to the clutches by means of the rods 33,34:, and 35, and the levers 36, 37, and 38. The detail construction ofthe link belts 14-, 15, and 16 in these various sections are formed asshown in Figs. 3, l, and 5 which comprises a series of links and aspecial link indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 at 10. This link comprises thetwo side members 41 and 4-2 which are pinned together and horizontalflange portions and 4%. Attached to these flanges by the bolts 4% is aplate 45 which is provided with an upwardly extending-part 46. ll is apart which is secured to the bottom board 7 of the flask and having adownwardly extending pivotal projection 47 with which the part do of thelink ll) engages when any one of the link belts are operated from themotors. The projection 47 is pivotally connected to part at? asindicated at e7 in the lug 4 The projection 4:7 is curved at its upperend to permit it to freely pass overthe part l6 in the link 40 when thelink is stationary and the flask moves down the conveyor by gravity.

The operation may be described as follows: After a suitable number orthe flasl s have been poured, the attendant, by means of the handlethrows in the clutch 27 which conples the motor 25 to the sha ft 20.This causes the link belt 1% in the channel iron 8 to travel. T heupwardly extending part d6 on the special link 40 will during the travelof the link belt engage the downwardly extending pivotal projection d7on the bottom board 7 of the flask. This will move the flask along onthe rollers 11 until it passes onto the in clined section 12 asindicated in dotted lines at 7 where it can proceed downward by force ofgravity. If it does not roll down the incline the attendant by operatingthe handle Ell may start the link belt 15 from the motor 26 which willmove the flasks down the inclined section 12 and onto the third orhorizontal section 13. The operator moving the handle 32 may connect thelink belt it; to the motor 27 through the clutch 29. The attendants ateach of the stations may therefore intermittently and independentlycontrol the movements of a mnnber of flasks on any one of the sectionsas described. This construction permits the number of flasks to beintermittently and independently controlled on any one of the sectionsas described. The up per end of the pivotal depending projection 47 isformed with a flat part 47* which will engage the lower side of theplate 47 and pre vent its moving any further. This operation will occurwhen the link belt is set in motion when the projection 46 will engagethe surface 47 and move the flask along the conveyor. In operation theattendents usually push the flasks along the conveyers. It they do notreadily move by force of gravity the attendants by operating the linkbelts can cause them to be intermittently and independently moved alongthe gravity runway.

The production can therefore, be readily controlled so that it may notaccumulate on any one of the sections, thus interruptin the quantity ofproduction.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a sectional runway having a plurality ot disconnectedsections for conveying purposes and designed to receive the skids ofmolding flasks, independently operable chain mechanisms cooperatingwith.

the molding flasks for moving the flasks, one at a time and to diticrentdistances along any one of the sections of the runway from one point toanother of each section, and manually operated means t'or intermittentlyand independently connecting a source of power for controlling themovement of a flask or flasks on any one of the sections of the runway.j

2. A device for the purpose described. comprising in combination, arunway which isgdividcd into separated sections which are arranged endto end, one of which sections is inclined, roller bars on the runway forreceiving the skids of and for supporting molders flasks, motor means ateach section for intermittently and independently moving the flasksalong on the roller bars of a section comprising an endless movablechain memher for each section, cooperating means between a. link of eachof the endless chain members and the flask or flasks. a separate motorfor operating each flask moving chain member, and manually operatedclutch means for connecting or disconnecting a motor to one of the flaskmoving members and independently of the other flasks on the runway.

3. A conveyer mechanism for molders flasks, or the like, comprising, incombination, a plurality of separated sections placed end to end, one ofwhich is inclined, each section having oppositely located side bars,roller bars in a plane having their ends supported on said bars. thebottom boards of the flasks having skids or shoes which engage therollers near their ends. a channel iron section supported above thecenter part of each roller of each of the sections, a chain conveyor ineach of the channel iron sections,

llll) one or more of the flasks may be independently operated on ormoved on each section, as desired.

4-. A gravity runway conveyor mechanism for conveying moldcrs flaskscomprising in combination independent or sectional frame work,cylindrical rollers supported at their ends, in each section, the bottomboards ofthe molders flasks, each having skids or shoes which engage therollers near their ends, a channel form section simported above thecentral portion of the cylindrical rollers of each section and on theend portions of the frame vork, a link belt section in the channel ironof each section, a cooperating device between each of the belts and thebottom board of a flask for moving the flask in one direction only,electric motors, means for intermittently and independently o )eratingeach of the link belts from the motors, and manually controlling meansfor each motor whereby the flasks may be operated independently of eachother on the runway as desired, and independent of the force of gravityas described.

5. A conveyor mechanism for molders flasks comprising in combination, aplurality of disconnected sections each having side bars, and some ofwhich sections are inclined, roller bars having their ends supported onthe side bars, the bottom boards of the flasks each having skids orshoes which engage the cylindrical roller bars, a channel iron supportedon each of the sections and above the middle part of the rollers, a linkbelt in each of the channel irons of each section and movable in onedirection only, a cooperating latch device between the sectional beltsand each of the bottom boards, motor means for intermittently andindependently operating the said sectional belts whereby the flasks maybe independently operated on each section, as desired, said cooperatingdevice comprising a pivotal projection on each of the bottom boards, anda rigid projection on one of the links of each of the belts.

G. In a sectional conveyer mechanism for molders flasks, a supportingframe having side members, rollers thereon, a channel iron member havinthe open part of the channel extending upward and supported on the frameand above the middle part of the rollers, a link belt located in each ofthe channel. iron sections and movable in one direction only, means forindepemlently operating the link belts, and a part on the belt forengagin and moving a molders flask member along on. the rollers,

'1'. In combination, a plurality of sectional supporting frames some ofwhich are inclined, cylindrical rollers mounted thereon with enlargedends, U-shaped members extending the length of the sectional frames andabove the center part of the rollers, a link belt having its upperstrand located in each of the U-shaped members, means for supporting thebelts at the ends of each section, a molders flask, shoes thereon forengaging the enlarged ends of the rollers, cooperating devices betweenthe flasks and the belts for moving the flask in one direction only, andmanual. means for putting the operating belts in motion andindependently of each other, said devices beingso constructed andarranged as to permit the flasks to be manually moved a long on therollers in one direction, or moved by the belt, as desired.

8. An intermittently operated conveyer mechanism for molders flaskscomprising in combination, a supporting frame work, longitudinallyspaced roller members rotatably mounted on the frame work and extendingfrom one side of the frame to the other, a bottom board, skids on thebottom board and engaging the said spaced roll r members, means formoving the board along the menr bers comprising a belt, a channel shapedmember located centrally over the middle part of the rotatably andlongitudinally spaced members in which the upper strand of the belttravels, a cooperating latch device between the belt and the bottomboard comprising a swinging mcn'iber on the board and a projection onthe chain, and meansfor intermittently operating the belt. 7

9. In combination, a supporting frame, a U-shaped channel member mountedalong the longitudinal center line of the frame, a link belt having itsupper strand in the U-shaped member, a motor, a clutch device formanually and intermittently throwing the link belt into or out ofoperation, cylindrical roller means on the frame for supporting the skidof a molders flask on the frame, and cooperating means between the beltand the molders flask, said means comprising a pivotal depending part onthe flask and a rigid projecti on on the bolt, the said pivotal partbeing constructed to permit a flask to pass freely by the rigidprojection on the belt when the belt is stationary but which, whenengaged by the rigid projection on the belt when operated, will causethe flask to be moved along on the rollers.

10. lnaconveyersystem for molders flasks, in combination, three spacedand unconnected sectional. members, the middle one of which is locatedin an inclined. position and the other two in'horizontal planes, eachsection having side bars, a plurality of cylindrical or elongated rollerbars having their ends rotatably mounted in the side bars of each sectional member, molders flasks with their skids resting on said rollerbars and near their ends, a channel shaped member supported at the endsof each sectional member and located above the mid-length of the rollerbars and with its open side upward, an endless link chain having onestrand in the channel, sprocket wheels at the ends of each section forsupporting the chain for each section, and an independent electric motordrive for each chain strand for each sectional member, coo 'ieratingmeans between the sectional chain strands and bottom boards of eachsection for moving the :tlasks along on the roller bars, and means formanually throwing in and out the independent electric motor drive ofeach section, whereby the flasks in each section may be independentlyoperated any desired distance on the section.

11. A coi'iveyer mechanism for transferring inolders flasks whichcomprises, in conn bination, a plurality of separated disconnect edsections placed end to end, each section having side bars, cylindricalrollers with enlarged ends and. having bearings mounted in the side barsand extending from one side bar to the other and 011 the enlarged endsof which rollers the skids oi the molders flasks travel, a U-shapedchannel member attached to each section and located above the rollerswith the open side uppermost, a sprocket chain for each section andhaving its upper strand located and travelling in the U-shaped channelmember, means for supporting the flask moving chain on each section;cooperating parts on each chain and flask for moving the ties is alongon the said rollers and manually operated clutch means at each sectionfor connecting and discoimecting the motor of each section, whereby theflasks on each section may be moved independently of the flasks onanother section.

CLARENCE K. PRINCE.

